and the district of columbia. we are spotlighting the hot races. paul steinhauser joining us live from washington, d.c. paul, delaware and, let's say, new hampshire top our list because of what we like to call the tea party factor. >> reporter: you are absolutely right. this last big round of primaries this year, and you've got that kind of crisis going on there on the republican side in the primaries. tea party backed candidates and conservative candidates taking on and gaining strength at the expense of the mainstream republican candidates. long-time did republican candidate mike castle is being challenged by christine o'donnell, backed by the tea party express is gaining strength. this could come down to the wire. this would be a huge victory for the tea party if she wins. in new hampshire, something similar as well. you have the former attorney general up there of new hampshire, kelly ayotte, backed by the establishment republicans, but a guy called oh vid lamontagne, run before up there, he is a conservative and outsider. he is gaining strength. if he wins, another big victory for the tea pa